RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan has conferred the prestigious honor of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, upon the Honorable James R. Thompson; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this honor by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson is a former Governor of the State of Illinois and is the Senior Chairman of Winston 8s Strawn, LLP, an international and domestic law firm; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson was recognized at a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for his significant contributions to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening economic relations between the United States and Japan; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Winston & Strawn from 1991 to 2006 and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ofthe firm from 1993 to 2006; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson ably served for a record 14 years as Governor and during his esteemed tenure made foreign trade a top priority of his administration; and
WHEREAS, As Governor, the Honorable James R. Thompson led eight missions to promote investment between the State of Illinois and Japan, resulting in an increase in trade; and
WHEREAS, During the Honorable James R. Thompson's role as the state's chief executive, the number of Japanese business facilities in Illinois more than doubled and their employment tripled; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson continues to make many positive contributions to the state's economy in his current role as the Chairman of the Midwest-U.S. Japan Association, a group which promotes mutual trade and investment efforts between nine Midwest states and seven Japanese prefectures; and
WHEREAS, The hard work and civic commitment of the Honorable James R. Thompson serve as an example to all; now, therefore
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BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, as...
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